
Alberta orders stricter hospital mask rules, but regions and hospitals can opt out
LETHBRIDGE, AB – Alberta Health Services is adopting stricter masking rules in hospitals as it deals with COVID-19 outbreaks, but regions and hospitals are free to ignore the directive.
It’s also not clear who has the final say if regions and the hospitals they oversee disagree on the new rules.
In a statement Wednesday, AHS said it’s immediately mandating enhanced masking for all staff, physicians, midwives, students, volunteers, contracted service providers and lab workers in acute care facilities.
Masks are also required for patients, helpers and visitors in emergency departments, and they could be expanded to other parts of hospitals including hallways, gift shops, cafeterias and elevators.